Health checks

Since 2004 GPs will get some of their funding from doing regular physical health checks on people with severe mental illness including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Your GP should ask you if you'd like to be put on a list of people (register) who need yearly check ups if you suffer from a severe mental illness that requires it.

This register simply reminds the GP to contact you each time another check up is due. You are still entitled to one if you decide you dont want to be on the register. You can have more than one a year if you and your nurse or doctor think it's appropriate.

Physical health checks vary depending on which doctor you see. You may not even see a doctor but a practice nurse. However, during most physical health checks your doctor or nurse will want to:

• take your blood pressure
• take your pulse
• do a urine or blood test
• weigh you

They should also check what medication you are taking and if you are experiencing any side effects. You can always let the doctor or nurse know if there is something else that is worrying you as well.